Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York wrote an op-ed for the Daily News in which he expresses concern for the Child Victims Act “breaking” the Catholic Church.
He advocates for a modified bill that would not have a “look-back window.” The “look-back” window is critical to the legislation, as it will allow adult survivors to file claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations. Archbishop Dolan seeks as a substitute a program to compensate survivors that will mirror the one implemented by Dioceses in New York State.
Attorney Jeff Herman is critical of Archbishop Dolan’s position, stating that “it is inadequate to provide adult survivors with their day in court, which is imperative to their healing. It will be contrary to the intent and purpose of enacting the Child Victims Act, as Archbishop Dolan is seeking to unfairly limit liability and avoid accountability at the survivors’ expense.”
